Galveston police honored for rescues during Ike

Galveston police honored for rescues during Hurricane Ike

Galveston Police Chief Charles Wiley tipped his hat Tuesday to some police officers and city workers who rescued 23 residents of a public housing project during Hurricane Ike.

The 11 officers, with the help of three city employees, used dump trucks and even boats to rescue the residents at the Oleander Homes development near 52nd Street and Ball Avenue.

“They had an opportunity to secure themselves, their vehicles and their property at the height of the storm, and they elected to do otherwise,” Wiley said. “And as a result 23 people were rescued and moved to safety.”

“It was innovative that they would use high-water vehicles like dump trucks to get those people out of there at the height of the storm,” Wiley said. Those things came together to make it a unique situation, and of course we’re very proud of them.”

The officers and civilian employees also will be honored by Galveston City Council at its regular meeting, set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at 823 Rosenberg.